Epiploic appendix

Epiploic appendix
Iliac colon, sigmoid or pelvic colon, and rectum seen from the front, after removal of pubic bones and bladder. (Lumps of fat visible at right.)
Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front. (Lumps of fat visible at right.)
Latin	appendices epiploicae
Gray's	subject #246 1158

The epiploic appendices (or appendices epiploicae, or epiploic appendages, or appendix epiploica, or omental appendices) are small pouches of the peritoneum filled with fat and situated along the colon and upper part of the rectum.

They are chiefly appended to the transverse and sigmoid parts of the colon, however, their function is unknown.

The appendages can become inflamed, a benign but painful process known as epiploic appendagitis which can mimic acute appendicitis and other conditions.

External links

• SUNY Labs 39:13-0202 - "Intestines and Pancreas: Large Intestine"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7978
• largeintestine at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

"Michael Sand et al. : Epiploic appendagitis – clinical characteristics of an uncommon surgical diagnosis BMC Surgery 2007, 7:11 (1 July 2007)".